Category: Guest Column

In 2018, I transitioned to a semi-retired lifestyle in Washington Park, nestled in the Historic Westside, just west of Vine City. I’ve lived there for 44 years and raised two wonderful daughters. Formerly a twice-elected city council member representing Vine City, English Ave., Mozley Park, Dixie Hills, and other westside neighborhoods, in 1992, I collaborated […]

More than ever before, the corporate directors of America’s largest and most prominent public companies are likely to reflect an array of gender, racial and ethnic diversity. While there is still room for improvement, it is encouraging that Georgia’s corporate boards, like many other states, are beginning to reflect a broader range of lived experiences.  […]

Housing is a human right. Everyone should be able to have a safe, accessible, affordable place to live. While this feels like it’s a no-brainer, the City of Atlanta seems not to understand the dire urgency and the actions needed given our housing landscape at hand. As Atlanta continues to reign as the City with […]

Formed in 1968 as The Outstanding Young People Of Atlanta (“TOYPA”) organization, Outstanding Atlanta (OA) is the City’s premier honor for community involvement, annually recognizing 10 young professionals between the ages of 21 and 40 for distinguishing themselves in their careers and service to Atlanta’s community. Having grown from its initial involvement with the Atlanta Dogwood […]

As you contemplate potential New Year’s resolutions for 2024, several practices could move you toward greater political involvement. Which of these resolutions best suits your plans for political activity in the new year?  1. Be informed Make it part of your daily routine to check reliable news sources and consider purchasing subscriptions to legitimate news […]

As the founder of HelpingUkraine.us, I often find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve undertaken since the onset of the military conflict in Ukraine. From the very beginning, our mission has been clear — help Ukraine. As the war rages on, we have adapted and refocused our efforts to address the evolving needs of the […]

A few years back, an acquaintance who was running for office contacted me to ask for my vote. I asked him how familiar he was with the needs of the Latino community in Atlanta, and all I got was a blank stare. To his credit, he educated himself afterward, but this is a frequent scenario. […]

Atlanta doesn’t have to choose between housing density and its tree canopy – we must grow both. In the midst of July’s record-breaking heat waves, the City of Atlanta released a study of our neighborhoods’ heat and flood vulnerability, which revealed that the highest temperatures are found in areas near Downtown, Midtown, and along arterial […]

To anyone who has stepped onto the Atlanta BeltLine over the past few years, the beauty of this linear park hits you right between the eyes. New York may have its vaunted High Line, but no one has something as impactful as the BeltLine that provides both refreshing access to nature and a vital footpath […]

According to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics women comprise 35 percent of the STEM workforce. While this is a considerable increase from a few decades ago, the number is still pretty low overall. Efforts to promote STEM interests in girls aren’t new. However, success hinges on maintaining that interest throughout their academic […]

The economic and market commentary dominating the financial press is often written in tones of linearity and cause-and-effect certainty — sometimes to the point of epistemic arrogance. Rarely is this analysis of economic data and macroeconomic forecasts couched in terms of their inherent uncertainty.   My ruminating on this theory lacked coherence until my recent reading […]

Many people know the Atlanta BeltLine as a wide path that connects some of the Northeast intown neighborhoods’ hot restaurants and shopping venues. But what many may not realize is that the BeltLine is more than just a conversion of abandoned train tracks into a walking path. In fact, the current trail is just one […]

Last year, the American Library Association received objections to over 2,500 different library books across the country, compared to just over 500 in 2019. These figures mark a growing censorship movement, led by a small number of extreme right-wing groups, to prevent kids and young adults from learning about topics they disapprove of, including the experiences of […]

As I reflect on what has been nearly a decade as Atlanta Housing’s (AH) first Archivist, I find myself humbled and honored by the incredible journey I’ve had. Archivists bear the responsibility of selecting, preserving, organizing, and managing historical and invaluable records, documents, and artifacts. Our mission is to ensure the protection, cataloging, and accessibility […]

At the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), we are currently in full swing of the Out of the Darkness Community Walk season, with our wonderful volunteers and staff busy planning over 400 Walks nationwide. The Out of the Darkness Walks raises awareness and much-needed funds to combat suicide, which has long been a leading […]

As Atlanta’s film industry flourishes, there’s a pressing need to create accessible paths for people to discover careers in film, television and e-gaming across Georgia. The Georgia Film Academy (GFA), globally recognized as a leader in workforce training, is leading this charge through partnerships with more than 30 institutions, public workshops, and close collaborations with […]

I had the honor and privilege of presenting a new documentary, “Carterland,” for its world premiere at the 2021 Atlanta Film Festival on the grounds of the Carter Center itself. We had the directing brother duo, Will and Jim Pattiz, and even Jimmy Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, present. This marked the first event to happen […]

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) considerations have become increasingly important for investors, stakeholders, and businesses to measure a company’s sustainability, ethical practices, and long-term viability. Increasing ESG scores has become ever more critical for several reasons, as it signifies a company’s commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices and has various benefits, including being often […]

In today’s interconnected world, high-speed internet has become vital for education, employment, healthcare, and essentially all forms of communication. Still, many Americans, especially those in marginalized communities, struggle to afford internet access. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) initiated by the Biden administration has made a significant impact on addressing this issue, providing internet to about […]